CYBERHAWK CHALLENGE

Pasta Car Race

PASTA CAR INTRODUCTION This PowerPoint include the steps to the Engineering Design Process you will use to construct Pasta Cars that we will race down a ramp at the May Community Meeting. The Pasta Car that travels the farthest down a ramp made from cardboard tri-fold boards will be the winner of the CyberHawk trophy!

PASTA CAR INTRODUCTION (CONT.) Watch an introductory video at Design Squad: http://pbskids.org/designsquad/topbuilder/2/

PASTA AVAILABLE FOR YOUR CAR

Spaghetti Ziti

Wheels Lasagna

7 inches long and 3 1/2 inches wide

You may use additional pasta from home but your entire car MUST be built

from pasta ONLY!

STEP 1 – UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM

Your Crew must design and construct at least 1 but no more than 3 cars made entirely out of pasta to race at the May community meeting.

STEP 1 – UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM (CONT.)

Have 2-3 Crew members restate the problem.What do you have to do?What materials do we have to work with?How do we determine the winner?

Remember, you can’t solve a problem if you don’t fully understand it.

STEP 2 - BRAINSTORMING Brainstorm ideas Sketch your ideas Share sketches with your Crew

Select the best ideas for your build

$1.48 ea.$.79 ea.

5 for $.54 2 for $.62

Purchase your pasta pieces

Quantity

Pasta Type Unit Price Total Price

Spaghetti 5 for $.59Ziti 2 for $.62Wheels $.75 eachLasagna $1.48 each

Your Crew is being given virtual $20.00 for your pasta supplies. Complete the order form and bring it to Swag Crew in Room 117 to receive your pasta.

Total of Supplies Amount Left Over$ $

STEP 3 - RESEARCH Research to see what others have done

constructing pasta cars.

STEP 4 – BUILD A PROTOTYPE Construct a prototype. In this case it is

your first attempt at solving the problem.

Materials• I have been collecting cardboard boxes

from the Cafeteria you can use to keep your pasta cars and materials safe and sound.

• I have some glue guns Crews can borrow but I don’t have enough for everyone. Hopefully some of you have your own glue gun or could grab one at the Dollar Store.

• WARNING: Pasta is FRAGILE – handle with care.

STEP 5 - TEST Test the model – collect data Does it drive straight? How far did it go? Do the wheels spin freely? Is it too heavy?

STEP 6 - REDESIGN What can you do to improve the

performance of your vehicle?

CLARIFYING QUESTIONS Submit any clarifying questions to Mrs.

Kibbe at kibbej@sps.springfield.ma.us or call Swag Crew @ extension 1117 during Crew time.